I was reading some book reviews online and I came across a line where the writer (in his positive review) stated that the book he was reviewing wasn't like any other book on spirituality because it wasn't a "feel good book where 'wuv' will solve all our problems."
I know he was trying to be flip, but it really got me thinking about what we look for when we read books on spirituality or awakening.
I believe that at the core of our being, at the core of all of us whom are living the human experience, we are not merely connected by love, but we are love. Our search for answers, our search for the deeper meaning in even our reading of spiritual books is for a deeper understanding of ourselves, and a longing for the remembered connection with all that is divine.
We already have the answers. We already know the truth. What we have lost or misplaced is our memory of how to connect to them. We pick up book after book, go to seminar after seminar, and look outside ourselves for the solutions to problems and the answers to our questions.
How did we get so lost that we think we are broken?
Why is it that we can become so spiritually jaded we think love is just a quick-fix, pop culture concept that is in every self help book or spiritual practice?
As I write this, I am reminded of Marianne Williamson's book A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles. Maybe what we need is a return to love.
Love is not some trite principle that solves all our problems. Scripture states "Love is patient and kind. It does not envy or boast. It is not proud. It doesn't dishonor others, it doesn't seek after itself. Love is not easily angered, and keeps no record of any wrong. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails."
My question is this: What if love is the answer?
What would we be like if we truly love ourselves in light of the above scripture? Would we only tell ourselves the truth? Would we know our truth?
Could we exist in the world if there were no love? What could the world be if each one of us were able to love ourselves and spread that love to the others in our immediate circles and each one of them did the same?
Love may or not be the answer to all of life's problems, but it certainly shouldn't be so easily dismissed. Besides, isn't love worth trying?
I know he was trying to be flip, but it really got me thinking about what we look for when we read books on spirituality or awakening.
I believe that at the core of our being, at the core of all of us whom are living the human experience, we are not merely connected by love, but we are love. Our search for answers, our search for the deeper meaning in even our reading of spiritual books is for a deeper understanding of ourselves, and a longing for the remembered connection with all that is divine.
We already have the answers. We already know the truth. What we have lost or misplaced is our memory of how to connect to them. We pick up book after book, go to seminar after seminar, and look outside ourselves for the solutions to problems and the answers to our questions.
How did we get so lost that we think we are broken?
Why is it that we can become so spiritually jaded we think love is just a quick-fix, pop culture concept that is in every self help book or spiritual practice?
As I write this, I am reminded of Marianne Williamson's book A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles. Maybe what we need is a return to love.
Love is not some trite principle that solves all our problems. Scripture states "Love is patient and kind. It does not envy or boast. It is not proud. It doesn't dishonor others, it doesn't seek after itself. Love is not easily angered, and keeps no record of any wrong. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails."
My question is this: What if love is the answer?
What would we be like if we truly love ourselves in light of the above scripture? Would we only tell ourselves the truth? Would we know our truth?
Could we exist in the world if there were no love? What could the world be if each one of us were able to love ourselves and spread that love to the others in our immediate circles and each one of them did the same?
Love may or not be the answer to all of life's problems, but it certainly shouldn't be so easily dismissed. Besides, isn't love worth trying?
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